What was launched for intramural athletics last year has achieved a fantastic turnaround in only one year.
What is considered to be an “outside the box” idea that “would be a new, fun activity that can get students engaged in our intramural sport programs,” said Matt Lawson, the Assistant Athletic Director for Campus Recreation/Club Sports.
Lawson also speaks on what sparked his mind for this addition.
He spends a lot of time down at the Jersey Shore, and he sees it as a common place at the beach, and he thought, “Why not try something new here at Neumann,” said Lawson.
After one year of promotion and word of mouth, explained Brian Barnett, the Graduate Assistant of Club Sports and Recreation, the Spikeball league transformed from a couple of teams to being 8 teams this fall.
But what exactly is Spikeball?
The technical term “Roundnet” per ESPN and spikeball.com, has been around since the 1980s.
It was then reborn in 2008, and the brand was acquired and relaunched by Chris Ruder. An industry that was at first run out of his own basement has now become the backyard game that has skyrocketed into the competitiveness it is today and is influencing colleges and their students across the country.
Barnett loves how much the sport has grown, especially on campus.
“Normally, it’s just been a sport where you’re playing it at the beach or in the backyard.” Now, “you kind of give the students the opportunity to play in that league aspect,” said Barnett.
At Neumann, intramural Spikeball 2 teams of 2 students play at a time, but you can have up to 4 people per roster. In case of scheduling conflicts, or to sub out your players.
Games will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm EST.
Rules for Spikeball are similar to a professional standard: First to 21, best of 3 series. Whoever takes the series wins the game. Lawson and Barnett are still making sure that all the competitors uphold Neumann’s RISES values.
Playoffs will be a single-elimination 8-team playoff for the spot of the top intramural Spikeball team at Neumann.
Jake Rainer and Anthony Wong are both seniors who have won the Spikeball championship in the year prior and are very excited about playing this upcoming year.
“This year is already a lot better than last year,” said Anthony. They both very much enjoy the vast majority of teams this year.
“It just brings out the competitive spirit in us,” said Jake. They enjoy knowing that their competitors know how to play the game and that they are able to compete.
I, for one, experienced and could feel the competitive and fun energy while watching the games.
This intramural sport doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon at Neumann and will continue to be competitive for many years to come.
